Solid I Parquet tlalbo Flooring

The only complete DIY line, plus pre-stained mouldings to go with it. A low maintenance product, a true peel & place DIY wood tile.

Plenty of dealer merchandising aids.

Money is being spent by workers and ' i whether you get your share of the spendable dollar available is up to you. The inflation is slowing. Government at the federal level is taking major actions that are not readily apparent in regards to modifying regulations to ease the impact on the businessman. There are hundreds of regulations that are being scrutinized by federal agencies which have been told to pare back regs and make them cost effective. Reagan has told his cabinet officers that if the regulation is not cost effective, we will not publish it. It must achieve more than the cost of implementation.

The nation is suffering an illness and rather than give it a quick shot of adrenaline which will boost the economy temporarily then wear off, Reagan has prescribed bed rest and slow recuperation. Once all of the administration's actions are in progress there should be a gradual and steady improvement in inflation, the economy and employment, most of all the total cost of government.

In the interim each of us must remember that we are not the only businessmen showing a decrease in business. As long as most of us are in the same condition we can at least say we are average for the industry. Chances are that retail trade will show an increase in activity at the end of the first quarter of I 982. But all predictions for housing €ue that improvements will not be seen until at least the third quarter of'82.

If each dealer will continue to think in a positive vein, watch inventories and operating costs, he will capture his share of the spendable dollars available. The dealers with whom we have spoken in the LMA area share this belief and those taking an active role in improving the productivity of employees through training and motivation are showing an increase in consumer sales. If a few can do it. others can!

We'reGoingComputer

The transfer of circulation records for The Merchont Magazine to a new computer system is being completed.

Although the system eventually will facilitate the record keeping of subscriber files, there is always the possibility of a computer goof in these initial stages of operation.

If this happens to you, please accept our apologies and have patience with our computer. It's just learning the job! If you have problems, just call or write and we'll straighten it out for you.

FRED CARUSO executive secretary

ClOtvIp 8,000 miles and 238 personal rEvisits in 45 davs to lumber dealers throughout the region was part of a pilot program to determine the feasibility of an association field services operation and to develop guidelines for such activities.

Harold Gray conducted the summer program, visiting non-members to encourage them to join their association and take part in seminars and programs. Calls were made mostly in small towns located in northern N.M., southern Wy., southeastern Id.. northern Ut. and most of Co.

He visited an average of 28 dealerships per week, driving some 175 miles per day between dozens of far flung towns, He also updated information necessary for the MSLDA Directory and mailing records.

He has prepared a report which will help the Board determine whether to continue or expand a field services operation.

We are gearing up to offer educational programs to a large number of people in the coming year under the direction of a newly appointed education-training committee, chaired by Jerry Tracy, Jackson Lumber, Jackson, Wy. They met recently in Denver to study all aspects of lumber educational programs.

The committee reviewed edsting pro- grams to determine the most popular and effective. They will continue to identify opportunities and problem areas and make recommendations on the most effective programs.

Nineteen new dealer members have joined MSLDA. From Colorado: Blue Spruce Building Materials, Inc., Lake City; Fowler Supply, Fowler; Grand Mesa Lumber Yard, Delta; Midwest Seed and Lumber Co., Lamar; Milligan Lumber

Co., Fort Collins; Ray Lumber Co', Pagosa Springs; Tomkins Hardware & Lumber Co., Creede; Vermillion Building Center, Limon; Western Lumber Co., Gunnison, and Wray Lumber Company, Wray.

Idaho: Crofts and Tew Home Center, Firth, and Lost River Lumber Co., Arco.

New Mexico: Red River Lumber Co., Red River, and R.S. Palmer, Inc., Deming.

Utah: Fullmer's Mill & Supply, Inc., Logan; Kamas Lumber & Hardware, Kamas; Stringham True Value Home Center, Garden City, and Trans-West Building Supply, Inc., Midvale.

Wyoming: Saratoga CashwaY Lumber, Inc., Saratoga.

These bring to 36 the new members joining during 1981.

Western Building Material Association

P. O. Box 1699, Olympia, Wash. 98501, (206) 943-3054 i.:tilllllltli:l:.i:li lF PROSPECTIVE home buyers and lbuilders can wait until the summer of 1982, the prime rate could dip as low as l09o with mortgage rates hovering near the l39o mark, according to Thomas R. Harter, chief economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association. He indicated that the effect of the Reagan Administration's stringent fiscal and monetary policy may be to reduce national mortgage rates to as low as l39o by next summer. Mortgage rates recently have been averaging 170/o and the prime rate about 200/0. He also predicted that lower mortgage rates of between l49o and 1590 by this month combined with lower construction loan costs will allow builders to buy down interest rates for potential home buyers more effectively. When "buying down," a developer assumes part of the cost of interest in order to atfiact a home buyer by offering lower interest rates.

The Fedral Home Loan Mortgage (Please turn to page 67)